Contemporary theology, argues Miller, is silent on what is unquestionably one of the most important cultural issues it faces: consumerism or "consumer culture." While there is no shortage of expressions of concern about the corrosive effects of consumerism from the standpoint of economic justice or environmental ethics, there is a surprising paucity of theoretically sophisticated works on the topic, for consumerism, argues Miller, is not just about behavioral "excesses"; rather, it is a pervasive worldview that affects our construction as persons-what motivates us, how we relate to others, to culture, and to religion. Consuming Religion surveys almost a century of scholarly literature on consumerism and the commodification of culture and charts the ways in which religious belief and practice have been transformed by the dominant consumer culture of the West. It demonstrates the significance of this seismic cultural shift for theological method, doctrine, belief, community, and theological anthropology. Like more popular texts, the book takes a critical stand against the deleterious effects of consumerism. However, its analytical complexity provides the basis for developing more sophisticated tactics for addressing these problems.
Les mer
1. How to Think about Consumer Culture 2. The Commodification of Culture 3. Consumer Religion 4. Desire and the Kingdom of God 5. The Politics of Consumption 6. Popular Religion in Consumer Culture 7. Stewarding Religious Traditions in Consumer Culture
Les mer
"He successfully lays down a general framework that will be useful in stimulating and guiding the thought of future scholars and religious observers. The first half of Consuming Religion seems especially suited for teaching on both the graduate and advanced undergraduate levels, since it provides a succinct but sensitive and wide-ranging discussion of various critical theories regarding consumer culture and the fate of religion in the midst of that culture. He is able to move from a compressed discussion of Marx's perception of culture to the work of theorists such as Henri Lefebvre, Guy Debord, and Jean Baudrillard, all in way testifying not only to his mastery of much important work in cultural theory, but also to a considerable synthesizing and didactic skill as a writer." -Journal of the NABPR
Les mer
Miller surveys almost a century of scholarly literature on consumerism and the commodification of culture and charts the ways in which religious belief and practice have been transformed by the dominant consumer culture of the West.
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780826417497
Publisert
2005-11-01
Utgiver
Vendor
Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Vekt
472 gr
Høyde
244 mm
Bredde
169 mm
Aldersnivå
G, UU, UP, P, 01, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
262

Forfatter

Biographical note

Vincent J. Miller is the Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture at the University of Dayton, USA. He is the author of Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture (Bloomsbury Continuum). His work has appeared in numerous journals including: Theological Studies, Horizons, and America Magazine.